If you had to summarize the story of this show, it'd be pretty simple, could be done in a few lines. To have given a lifelong worth of depth to those few lines, to have brought alive the events in the life of the characters, to have made us feel what what the characters were going through with such beautiful narratives, the writers need to be commended. The plots could have easily gone awry in so many places, but EVERY plot, every character, every loose end - have all been taken care of with remarkable finesse. There are zero complaints or unsatisfied worms lingering in my head, none.
Where do I begin with the actors? Where? I've been blown away, drowned, burned, buried, shocked - you name it - by every actor in this wonderful show. Ji Sung left me begging for more of him, even when he was present in 90% of the scenes, I just wanted more. "I wish that the time would stop, and that I could be with you forever", that's all that I felt every time he appeared. This guy can ACT, and he did a bloody brilliant job in this show. To have portrayed 7 personalities, is commendable. To have played 7 personalities with such absolute perfection, is downright worth worshiping him for. There wasn't a moment went he faltered in his performances, never a flaw, never a single crack in his portrayal. Be it the grumpy, violent, protective, dashing and charming Shin Se Gi; the middle-aged, goofy, bomb-making, beer-loving, accented Perry Park; the quite, calm, suicidal teen-genius Ahn Yo Sub; the foul-mouthed, oppa-crazy, troublemaker twin sister of Ahn Yo Sub, Ahn Yo Na; and the less frequently appearing 7-year old Nana, or Mysterious Mr. X; Ji Sung has lived and brought to life each of them. I didn't know it was even possible to be able to do such a thing! I had to literally pause the episodes and look at his face to believe in the changes. His eyes changed, how does one do that. Just with his expressions, his gaze, his very demeanor it was obvious as to which personality it was. He wasn't just Cha Do Hyun behaving like someone else, he WAS someone else. And it was one of the best performances by any actor that I've seen. My opinion of Ji Sung has reached the Sun.
The lead lady Hwng Jung Eum came as a surprise to me. I've ever seen her works before and I'm glad I began with this show. She handled every scene so well. She was goofy and loud and cute and serious and mature and terrified and depressed - and every emotion was conveyed very nicely. I'm looking forward to seeing her other works. Park Seo Joon was a delight to watch, that guy made me laugh and cry with equal flare. His character was simply brilliant, very heart touching. It would be unfair to the others if I focused on a few actors more than the other but these three deserved the mentions, the rest of the cast did a pretty great job as well. They're the ones who were able to make the script, story and direction work.
I don't know what I had in mind when I began the show, what it was that I had expected it would turn out to be, but whatever it was, it was nothing compared to what I actually got. The stories of each personality, their traits, the personality itself grows on you so much that it's hard to let them go. I found myself hoping for them to come out sometimes. I grew to love every facet, every broken piece of Cha Do Hyun. I was sobbing harder with every farewell. It felt as if you're losing a person rather than a personality. The story of each character in this show is going to be in my heart for a long, long time.
I'm really glad I picked up this show, it is one of the best I have seen. The level of brilliance is more than worth watching. I'm already looking forward to rewatching it in the near future. I don't think I've had enough of the characters yet.
The kind of show that Kill Me Heal Me is, you don't need any reasons to watch it, all you have to do it watch the first episode for a couple of minutes and you'll be irrevocably hooked, just as I was. It's everything you want in a drama of this genre. Everything and more. Don't miss out on this one, you'll be passing on a masterpiece.
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We don't need another hero.
This is a dark, intensely melodramatic classic wuxia about heroes. The Chinese title 说英雄谁是英雄 (Speaking of heroes, who is a hero?) asks the question who is a hero 英雄/yīngxióng? What is distinctive about this story is that there is no main protagonist. It is left to the audience to decide which character(s) are heroes. Although novelist Wen Ruian is not considered to be in the same league as Jin Yong or Gu Long, there is a cynical provocativeness that distinguishes this best work of his. The martial artists or 大侠/dàxià, featured in this are swordsman known for their legendary weapons. Despite 江湖/jiānghú lore about their great feats and relative prowess, 一山还有一山高, there is always a higher mountain so the outcome to any encounter between these fighters is not known until actually put to a test.Li Muge's brilliant camera work evocatively captures the essence of a wuxia from the wild vastness of the terrain, the spirit of adventure, the air of intrigue to finally, the profound sense of fatalism and impermanence. Yet despite the stunning aesthetics, the fast paced and bloody fight scenes are over choreographed and somewhat lacking. The action scenes mostly comprise of discontinuous slasher heavy shots that are stitched together to end in exaggerated fierce posing by the combatants. There seems to be a lot of slashing around without capturing the flinch inducing violence and intensely muscular swordsmanship seen in shows like Lu Yang's Brotherhood of Blades. The two final fight scenes are powerful and much more satisfyingly executed with the right mix of violence, emotion and intensity.
This drama's ensemble cast delivers nuanced and polished portrayals of memorable characters such as Chen Chuhe's charismatic Su Mengzhen and Meng Ziyi's heart rending Lei Chun. The diversity and eccentricity of jianghu's denizens from the flamboyant Fang Yingkan, the staunch and astute Yang Wuxie, the hilariously coquettish Zhao Xiaoyao , the fanatical Lei Mei , the wily Lei Sun and the enigmatic Di Feijing anchors this wuxia. Naturally the performances of the three young idol actors who represent the next generation of martial artists, suffers by comparison in such formidable company. While both Zeng Shunxi's Wang Xiaoshi and Liu Yuning's Bai Choufei struggle visibly in more complicated scenes, they deliver credible performances overall. Besides, Bai Choufei is a difficult role that would challenge many seasoned actors. As for Yang Chaoyue, her acting mantra must be "when in doubt, just pout" because besides crying, that is what she does best in every scene. Even though Wen Rou is a superfluous and archetypal character, she has many well written comedic moments with the advisor that disappointingly fall flat in execution. I won't lie, the idol actors failed to convince me of any of their relationships or make me care much for them. I find Su Mengzhen's bond with Yang Wuxie far more compelling than Wang Xiaoshi's with Bai Choufei.
The story opens with the young and decent Wang Xiaoshi's first foray into jianghu, tasked by his shifu to deliver a mysterious box to Su Mengzhen, the young master of the House of Golden Wind Drizzle (House Drizzle). Along the way he forms a fast friendship with the deadly and ambitious Bai Choufei and the well-born, pouty and marriage evading Wen Rou. Together, they head to the capital, seeking fame, fortune and adventure. Near the city, Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei save Su Mengzhen from an ambush and the three become sworn brothers. Thus they find themselves allied with House Drizzle and pitted against their arch-rivals, the Six-Half Hall. The high-minded and valiant do-gooders are drawn to House Drizzle while the less scrupulous, commercial and profit minded converge at Six-Half Hall. There are formidable martial artists and yes, heroes at both sects; neither is completely good or bad they simply live by different ideologies.
All too soon, it becomes clear that Bai Choufei's unrestrained ambition and world view is incompatible with that of Su Mengzhen and House Drizzle. This man has a massive chip on his shoulder and his ambition tragically exceeds his ability. Thus his bottom line is flexible and he is willing to get what he wants by fair means or foul making him better suited towards Six-Half Hall. His desire for Lei Chun, a woman who only has eyes for Su Mengzhen, further fans the flames of his resentment. It is inevitable that Bai Choufei succumbs to his worst instincts to become the kind villain I love to hate; one that I can ultimately somewhat empathize with and understand. Sadly, this is where the screenwriter inexplicably decides to whitewash Bai Choufei and rob him of his free will. What follows is one of the worst character assassinations ever. Bai Choufei, a strong minded, unapologetically ambitious and arrogant character is reduced to a mentally unstable puppet of a corrupt government official. He becomes so unhinged, despicable and pathetic that he is little more than a rabid dog that has to be put down. What a waste. None of the other villains really step up; both Thirteen Doom and Fang Yingkan had potential but are too cursorily dealt with at the end and their motives and some of their actions not satisfactorily explained. That said, Thirteen Doom will always be a bit of a hero to me just for gagging Wen Rou.
The ending bloodbath between the sworn brothers is predictable and inevitable. At this point, Li Muge gives in to his love for melodrama and sprays dogs blood over everything with wild abandon. I was nonplussed at the tragicomic drawn out twitching after going splat death scene that eventually just made me laugh. I expected Su Mengzhen to play a more active role in the finale but his decision was already foreshadowed. He explains himself with his parting words 独立三边静 轻生一剑知 which Tencent simply translated as "The fearless brings peace for many but dies a death that's lonely." Those are incredibly fitting parting words for Su Mengzhen that those who love him can understand and must accept. It is actually a beautiful, famous ancient Tang poem with deep meaning that I will hide in a spoiler in the comment section of this review. The ending was good albeit overly melodramatic for my taste.
Which comes back to the conversation about heroes or 英雄/yīngxióng. When all is said and done, a hero does not have to fit the conventional wuxia hero in terms of righteousness or chivalry. It is enough that they are true to their own ideals and thus the hero of their own story. For me, Di Feijing is unambiguously the hero of this story. In his own way, he is no less chivalrous than Su Mengzhen and between them, they maintained a stable balance of power in the capital. He is the one character that is consistently true to his ideals and lives to protect those he loves. I find his chemistry with Lei Chun to be the most natural and moving in the drama. He is the only character who truly and only loved Lei Chun. Tragically Su Mengzhen is the only one that Lei Chun loved even though he did not love her quite as intensely or as selflessly as Di Feijing did. They are the three characters I cared the most about in this drama. I still don't forgive Li Muge for short changing me of Di Feijing's and to a lesser extent, Thirteen Doom's ending combat scenes. It is not enough for me to know that justice is served, I wanted to see it happen. As for Wang Xiaoshi, he is at best a work in progress. Even though he did his best to fix things, he also ineptly set in motion many of the events that led to among other things, Lei Sun's downfall which snowballed into this giant, tragic mess. If he is a hero, we don't need another hero. In any case, as Lei Chun discovered, heroes are not there when you most need them. Best be your own hero.
I have very mixed feelings about this drama. I think I am mostly disappointed because it could have been so much more had the scriptwriter and the director stuck with the novel and not succumbed to whitewashing and dogs blood melodrama. Thanks to the substance and depth of the original works however, it still a good watch if for nothing else, the stunning aesthetics. This feels like a 7.5/10 for me but I bumped it up to an 8.0 because Di Feijing (Yang Tong) is such an unforgettable character, he stole the show as far as I am concerned.
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✨ Deliciously Deranged, Dramatically Divine✨
Ok listen. This one is deliciously scandalous, y’all — and I am so here for it.Now, Gemini will stretch your mental gymnastics a bit in the beginning with that “wait… are they siblings?” confusion. Fear not — they are not siblings (thank the drama gods). I’m personally not a fan of the ''siblings, even if not blood related'' trope, but once I got past that tiny heart attack, oh boy — this drama turned into a buffet of revenge, rebirth, and raging chemistry.
The leads? Electric. Even before they share the screen properly, you can feel the tension simmering. When they finally meet? Hyperventilating. They’re playful, non-toxic, and radiate total power couple energy.
The FL? Badass incarnate. Both actresses who portray her absolutely slay — elegant, fierce, and dangerously smart. And the ML? Slightly unhinged but in the best way possible. A feral golden retriever with a dark side and a talent for kissing that could power a small city. Throw in a few shirtless scenes? Yeah. Woof.
Acting? Fantastic. Fights? Chef’s kiss. The side characters are actually somewhat interesting (we love to see it). The villains? A full-on color palette of wicked — it’s giving art gallery of bad decisions. The OST and costumes are top-tier, and visually, it’s just so pleasing.
I'm definitely keeping an eye of this director because i'm also watching the other drama that's almost done airing and having a blast.
In conclusion: I am sat for the entire thing, glued to my screen, snacks in hand, emotional stability hanging by a thread. There are still nine episodes left, and I’m low-key terrified it might go tits up… but for now, this drama is serving chaotic excellence on a silver platter.
Will update once I'm done watching the whole thing (pending emotional damage review post-finale).
✨Update✨
Oki, plot twist: emotional damage = absent. Surprising, I know. My tear ducts were braced for betrayal but instead? We got served an ending that was… dare I say… wholesome.
Ep. 23 though? Comedy gold. So you’re telling me y’all had time to spin in pirouettes like it’s a villainous Swan Lake audition but not enough time to simply step aside from the falling trap? Classic. I was rolling. (Yes, yes, I get it — they were tricking the villain, but still. I laughed way too hard.)
Speaking of the villain — um, hot alert?? The man was compelling, layered, and I actually felt something for him. His motivation, his grief, the way his sister’s tragedy shaped him… chef’s kiss villain material. I was conflicted, ngl.
Now, one of my favorite choices: ML didn’t hide the truth from FL about his origins. No unnecessary noble idiocy, no “I lied to protect you” circus. Just raw honesty. THANK YOU, writers, for sparing us that clusterfluff. What we got instead was the ultimate supportive power couple, and I was living for it.
Of course, flaws? Yep, they exist. The “raised as siblings but not blood related” angle requires some… moral flexibilty. But it’s digestible here (at least for me), ok technically this is not a flaw, rather an afterthought. Pacing hiccups? Sure. Logic loopholes? A couple. And whoever thought a 20-year-old swallowed bloody document would come out looking magenta fresh-off-the-printer… you’re bold. But hey, it gave me a laugh, so points for entertainment.
Overall? This mini had a bigger budget than your usual C-drama short project, and it showed — costumes, cinematography, aesthetics, the color palette — beautifully done. The cast carried everything with intensity and charm.
So if you’re craving revenge, rebirth, intense plot, sizzling chemistry, and an ML who is so down bad for his FL it’s basically his life support, this one’s your jam. The FL? Fierce, soft, and iconic ( and also a baby girl for her man). The ML? Rocking that grey hair. The ending? Happy, unhurried, and slightly “to be continued,” which… honestly, I don’t hate.
Verdict: Gemini is a worthy stop on the drama express. Highly recommend.
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It's clever, thought-provoking, surprising and entertaining. It engrosses the viewer from the very beginning, accompanying one through a journey which is at the same time thrilling and disquieting.
The direction seems to have the quality of a dream in mind, what with the dark colours mixed with splashed of blood red, shiny yellow and electric blue. The acting follows the same pattern, constantly over the lines, like a classic theatrical piece, with exaggerated costumes and close-up shoots of frozen expressions.
Characterization is strong too. The main characters and the recurring secondary ones are vivid, clear cut, each one growing and yet remaining the same in substance.
Liar Game is a perfectly staged metaphor of life, with honesty vs. gain at the centre of it.
The music is perfectly chosen, building up when required by the scene, retiring to the background when more attention from the viewer is needed.
Rewatching is almost necessary, to pick up on elements overlooked on first viewing and to concentrate on the overall atmosphere and acting of the show.
Highly recommended.
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Another Gem from the one and only JAPAN!
First off. For those of you who are weary about watching this, because it looks sad, well it is sad. If your heart can handle it, then I highly recommend this drama series. It’s a beautiful story and probably one of the best Japanese BLs and in general, BLs of this year. Acting and chemistry was on point and there were no evil or bad characters. Inoue Sora as Oumi Mitsuru and Komiya Rio as Yamada Koichi were the perfect pairing. The osts are very catchy and fit perfectly with the theme of the drama. I actually listen to them daily. One of the reasons why I enjoy watching dramas is because I get to discover new artists through the ost of the dramas. Anyways, highly highly recommend this series if you can handle sad endings. I will gladly rewatch this series in the future, despite it being a sad one. It’s the perfect drama to get me into the feels.Was this review helpful to you?
A Refreshing dive into 2023
HALF WAY REVIEW+ FINAL REVIEWYou're probably wondering if you should check
out this drama. My suggestion is a solid Yes 👌 And here are my reasons.
[Gonna be a midway review since I'm following This ongoing gem haha. I'm reviewing this so anyone hesitant about this drama will give it a go, Will drop a final review]
This drama seems pretty much underrated, Obviously for the reason of not having Top ranking cast. Only.
But from eps I've seen so far, it's absolutely more dept and solid than Most 2022 Cdrama out there. Trust me when I say, More Solid!
Plot.
Plot might seem like your usual high school blah blah blah, But oh, I was in for a little surprise. although not the most solid plot out there, but Oh dear, it was Something relatable lovely to view. A sweet highschool love story with a pinch of intriguing twist. curious? Check it out then🌝
Leads,
Of course they got that bubbly chemistry you see in most High school drama and that's what makes it Lovely to see two cuties cutely fall in love hehehe.
ML was basically a heartthrob to go for, His acting is surprisingly good for a first official drama from him! ( I think it's his first drama) He got the looks, refreshing and natural acting, and the pretty eyes and stare! what's there to not love.
FL? She gives off that normal highschool girl energy you always see. (Don't be fooled by synopsis tho. she's smart but not as described by synopsis lol) she's basically your normal highschool girl in Cdrama.
SL (Second lead) Ay, I had a soft spot for him Lol and still do. That's my undying support for Most SL lol. He was a pretty much loveable , playful character that gives you that bad student vibes. A perfect lover for a girl ( Omg I need him in a drama ASAP 😭) but overall his acting is AMAZING like ML and he's too good to be a rookie actor.
support roles are just okay. Doing their Jobs and supporting leads. And I love how the script doesn't make these support roles overshadow the leads storyline.. pretty decent writing I see here.
Acting, Hmm. the acting in this drama got me thinking.. Wait omg are these rookie and underrated cast I see? Because hell they embodied that Highschool role so well that I'm already in love.
But there are certain downside to this nice dramas I think would need some touching.
Classic Cliche?
lol, what's a Highschool drama without these cliches. And it's obviously found in this drama too. but what I appreciate here is the fact that MOST of these cliche were handled nicely. But doesn't mean all. Because some scenes will obviously get you cringing haha.
which brings me to my pleading! Cdrama please shorten or remove these cliche and cringe 😭 We've had enough😂
Music? Well music in this drama wasn't ok to me. It's cringe af tho. Maybe not my taste? Because I don't even remember any of it and oops, I skip the opening theme so. Not so good music choice
Overall
Like I Said, It's indeed a fresh dive into 2023 and a worthy refreshing, cute, bubby, funny, youthful drama you should check out while you're beginning your 2023, Because this drama is indeed a Underrated Gem That's amazing.
Not the best of it's genre but amazing.
so why are you still reading??😭 Go and click on ep1
FINALLY DONE AND HERE'S FINAL THOUGHT
🌺 A FRESH AND FLUFFY DIVE INTO 2023🌺
Finally finished this drama and have no words to expressed other than, Nostalgic, Cute, sweet, Lovely and did I forget to say NOSTALGIC AND CUTE!
The journey of watching group of friends go through their bubbly and harsh days in highschool while ending up in wedding gowns, chasing dreams and love. That's the feeling I got.
This drama wasn't all that exceptional and didn't have the most outstanding plot, with Twist and such.No, it was Just genuine and sincere.
What was really fluttering here is basically the casting. wow, The casting was one to dig for. And to make me believe they're rookies? Omg they're pretty much natural with their acting! Pulling off the Highschool to adult trope, I was impressed!
The plot, like I Said isn't something exceptional. but it was indeed a highschool to adult trope worth the watch
The leads were compatible and good, second lead guy..omg I think I had a heartache ahha. And the support characters were simply solid. I loved each characters stories which was presented to us..the break-up and makeup 2nd couple, was just heartwarming.
And Can we just take a minute to appreciate the buddy bromance we got unexpectedly?🤣 I loved how this drama somewhat proved that long gotten friendship is often superior than Love. [we lost our 3rd CP because I guess the guy picked friendship, his childhood buddy. Now that's something you don't see everyday! Amazing 🥺]
Overall, this is simply a refreshing watch worth your time. Although the synopsis is a little bit deceiving... because I think it wasn't properly generated. But anyways it was better than I expected.
Finished my 1st cdrama of 2023🌺 and it was indeed a cute Gem. I'll indeed miss this squad and their tale. One of my favorites of 2023 anyways.
Title: TIME AND HIM ARE JUST RIGHT 2023
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Surprisingly Good Historical Mini Drama
I am very glad I came across this and decided to give it a try. I didn't have any expectations. After reading the description and summary and some of the discussion postings on mydramalist, the storyline intrigued me enough to give it a go. This is NOT a fluffy youth drama and it seems like there was a decent budget and thought spent on its production for a short web series. Its not a high budget drama like some of the hyped up full fledged CDramas; for a short web series, it was decent and above par compared to its peers. While it is a VERY different drama from Goodbye My Princess, it's similar in the sense its a web series with a unique take and a decent production feel to it that makes it stand out.The costumes and settings are beautiful and do not look cheap. It is not a fluffy youth drama but it has comedic elements and liked how there really aren't any draggy parts since each episode is pretty compact. I do wish it was made into a full featured drama as there are plenty other CDramas that are bad but given so much more production time than this. I wasn't familiar with any of the actors and actresses which is a bonus since sometimes it gets tiring seeing the same popular actors and actresses over and over again. Glad there are others who are given a chance to provide a refreshing take on characters. I thought the actors and actresses did a pretty good job and they were engaging and believable in their roles. I was skeptical with how they would pull off the love story of the ML and FL characters in the midst of mystery and political intrigue and with each episode being pretty short, they pulled it off.
As a warning, the english subs are limited and aren't great; it was good enough series that I overlooked it and replayed some parts again to get a better understanding.
Whoever penned the web series, original story and the director should be given more projects in the future. Good Job. Its so refreshing to find this after a few disappointing CDramas
Finally finished this, the ending didn't quite hit the mark but overall it is still a very good short web series.
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1Favorite cdrama in years
I've been watching chinese dramas for YEARS (probably over a decade), and this is the only cdrama I've watched on repeat ever. The characters are well written, the romance is believable, and there's also an endgame/political setup that is emotional and worth cheering for. The female lead's setup is already intriguing, since it involves a female lead that has to (re)navigate her life decisions in a a thought-provoking way, and generally a male lead that is supportive of her throughout this navigating of the court intrigue/personal relationships. For me, the elements that make a truly wonderful and rewatchable drama are as follows:1) Strong female lead - the female lead has to be written in a way that I want to cheer for her. There are a lot of characters out there, but the female lead has a strong drive/ambition and has a reason for wanting to accomplish her mission that to me reads as noble and worthwhile, while also being spunky and fun (and I absolutely love Bai Lu's acting, she is perfectly cast for this role). It's just super fun to watch a female character acting in her own agency and trying to navigate life
2) Excellent chemistry between both (all?) leads - really good believable chemistry always gets me. enough said here, their scenes speak for themselves :) this also links to that I want both leads to be believable in their chemistry. Good acting to me is where I forget they're an actor, but truly believe they are the character they're portraying, which is definitely done by both here!
3) Good pacing & political intrigue - love me some plotting for the dramatic tension in the storyline, and I think dramas really shine when both leads have a brain and work together, and get to know each other over a shared interest/smarts rather than just a love at first sight. the dramatic tension of first life vs. fixing things in second life also drives the plot and kept me on the hook; when I watch a drama, having it be interesting and an easy watch is v important
4) good quality costuming & scenery - I hate when other historical dramas look cheap or over the top, but I've aesthetically loved the costuming here :) one of the things I appreciate is seeing Chinese-style costuming and scenery, love that aspect of cultural exchange.
The whole support cast is excellent too, hope all the cast members get lots of awards for this show!!
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Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.
New Life Begins is a fun and funny satire that mocks ancient Chinese feudal society. It is set in the fictional kingdom of Xinchuan, which presides over eight other provinces or chuans. Xinchuan is the poster child for every deplorable aspect of the feudal patriarchal society that prevailed over most of China's 5000 years of recorded history. Every three years as tribute, eligible young beauties from the provinces are sent for selection as wives or concubines of the Xinchuan princes. As these poor unsuspecting scions pore gleefully over bride portraits, little do they know that the very foundation of their kingdom and beliefs are about to be rocked to its chauvanist core.As fate would decree, subversive elements infiltrate that year's bride candidates. These elements are woefully untaught and unteachable in the Rules of Reverent Submission for Women. The kind of marriage envisioned by the Xinchaun royalty could not be further from their minds. The ringleader is Li Wei, a deceptively harmless foodie from Jichuan, an inconsequential province where men and women are equal and monogamous. She finds kindred souls in the scheming Hao Jia, the fierce Shangguan Jing and the savvy and ambitious Yuan Ying. Together, they prevail against the suffocating, often life threatening strictures of the Xinchuan inner palace to carve out an existence with some free will. Their brave and hilarious exploits resonate with the oppressed and fuels a fire across the inner palace and then, the capital. As it turns out, behind every great man in Xinchuan is a woman rolling her eyes. Despite the period setting, the ideals in this drama are very modern. It is a very fantastical utopian depiction of the kind of power women can unleash by simply working together instead of turning on one another.
This is not to say that all ten of the Xinchuan princes are bad fellows even though most of them make exceedingly bad husbands. With some, it is simply a matter of training while others need to be kicked to the furthest corners of the empire. The commercially savvy playboy Prince An who thinks he is the sun that the solar system revolves around when he is really the moon is the caricature that made me laugh hardest. That said, the entire ensemble cast delivers rib-tickling and lively comedic sketches that poke fun at the mundane. In a mostly lighthearted and positive but rather cursory manner, the drama evokes many women's themes. Hua Jia's arc is the darkest and most complex one and sounds a dire warning about disgruntled female employees. The sub-plots are short and even though the villains made my blood boil, they are not that smart or complex. That is because the true villain is the tyranny of the patriarchal feudal system and they are all victims of its shortcomings.
All of the sub-plots unfold around the evolution of the relationship between Li Wei and Yin Zheng, the unfavored sixth prince. Hilarity ensues when this woman who lives to eat finds herself shackled to a man who eats to live! With the help of MVP Butler Su, she attempts to tease out the inner fat dude just waiting to burst out of Yin Zheng. In fact, food is her secret weapon; she worms her way into practically everyone's hearts through their stomachs. Both Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei have good comedic expression and they are fantastic at seamlessly turning funny moments into heart stopping passionate ones. While theirs is a fun, wholesome story, it is too much of a fairy tale. Neither of them have serious flaws and every cloud has a silver lining. In fact Li Wei's perpetual chirpiness grated on me at times. While Yuan Ying is a fabulous and formidable character and I get that one woman's treasure is another's trash, that entire situation is just too good to be true. I also didn't like how their relationship jumps from courtship to the comfortable rhythm of a long married couple, deferring the best romance part till the end. It breaks the natural momentum of a relationship and distracts audience attention from the other arcs. In truth, this drama is a lot more about sisterhood and women's themes than it is about romance. The production should be more confident that these well written, funny, and touching arcs can engage on their own without dragging out the romance to keep viewers invested.
This is one of the rare times that it is the second couple, Shangguan and Yin Qi that stole my heart. I have a weakness for flawed, colorful and unconventional characters like these. Yin Qi's plight is far worst than Yin Zheng's - he is just as unloved and he is no great talent to boot. In the bride lottery, he finds himself sacrificed to the fierce Shangguan, a princess from the powerful and matrilocal Danchuan. But he has a giant heart to go with his big goofy happy-go-lucky smile that makes the fiery Shangguan forgive him for always saying wrong things. Their clashes and banter made my shoulders quiver with laughter as they humorously navigate true challenges and hardships together. Even though they are not perfect and don't have everything, I somehow get the feeling they couldn't be happier.
Overall this is a gorgeous, lighthearted and highly enjoyable story about women's struggles and sisterhood with some romance thrown in. It lacks depth, is slow in places and is far from a masterpiece but the humour is very well done and has mass appeal. A highly recommended watch that I rate 8.5/10.0.
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THIS IS SO UNDERRATED
❤️ok❤️ so from what I see not many ppl watch this drama and the ratings are not great... besides dramatist, on douban, it has less than 10000 ratings (which is quite little for there), and it only has like 6.3 rating. I mean its not horrible but I dont understand cuz I think its not worse than those 7+ or8+ dramas.lmao ok so my point is at first I was not gonna watch it like there are no reviews of it and it has bad view count and bad ratings, but one day I was bored and saw a mv of it...it was H O T. im not like horny or anything but I was bored so I thought id check it out for fun.
HOWEVER, from like 5 minutes in, I was captivated, and I never skipped a second of it. ig that is to be expected from a 16 episode 30 min each drama, but that doesn't mean much I can sit through much more and be happy with a drama. (shoutout: STORY OF MINGLAN IS AMAZING)
either way, it was at a very good pacing; I didn't feel as if scenes were cut or stretched.
even though im not a big fan of these fighting and violence modern dramas, I really liked this one. The dangerous background stories they shared together had me crying all night, and I felt as if I was there friends cuz I was praying as I watched for a happy ending.
as for the characters, BOTH ARE BADASS AND I LOVE IT. ml is so smart and fl is not the typical naive dumb dependent fl. they have misunderstandings but it gets cleared up real fast. even if it didn't, it is actually understandable for me so its not exactly annoying. but DONT WORRY ABT THAT cuz they are well most of the time.
im also particularly in love with second lead couple. tbh the 2nd fl was harassing 2nd ml in the beginning and I won't deny that. it was kinda wrong, but hey im a part of the audience. their ending scenes had me crying of happiness and sadness and everything and I knew was that they loved each other.
also xing Xing (their late "master"'s child under the care of 2nd couple) was adorable. I found her annoying at first but she's a child and later she was so mature and caring and understanding and adorable and yeah
music was okay, ive heard better but the story made up for it.
acting was great too. alike, ive seen better but it was more than enough to make the drama amazing. ps. ❗️kissing scenes were superior no dead fish
❗️ALL IN ALL❗️(im back in elementary lmao), it was a thrilling, quick ride for me and I loved it. some characters had their fault but i come to feel for them very soon. In the end, I love everyone (not the villains though I dont hate them either) ((they were pitiful and for some reason, I never found them particularly annoying)) (((they didn't last long anyways))) WOAH WHAT IS WITH ALL THOSE PARRENTHATHESIS apparently I cant spell either. ;-;
well this was definitely not a waste of time and I think it should be rated better and have a bigger audience. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
u prob cant read anything I wrote but ITS AMAZING, and I added emojis 😎 cuz I think what I wrote is like PeRiOd and needed to be emphasized
sorry im werid, byebye
edit: I FORGOT : ❤️HAPPY ENDING❤️ GUYS SO DONT WORRY again I had to emphasize
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Perfect writing; no holes or no loose ends. Everything is connected brilliantly. The amount of pain and laughter are balanced wonderfully. The characters are well-written and the actors have done a perfect job performing them. Chapeau to the writer, the director and the cast.
To actually fall in love with Choi Kang Hee was something I never imagined but after this drama there was no way I wouldn't. I hope she's OK after playing the role.
A realistic approach of traumas and pain. No forgiveness simply granted. People do commit crimes and make mistakes. Not everyone is redeemed just because the drama is ending. How one person's not confessed crime would haunt so many people. Family and its complications. All are tackled in the drama.
Now comes the most bewitching theme; love. Hey! Hey! I'm someone who vowed to stay single forever! This drama had made me want to date again! Insane! How true people are to their feelings. No noble idiocy, no unnecessary self-blame, no giving up, no escaping. I'm feeling this way I'll be true to my feelings and simply confess and take responsibility. If you can't recognise your own feelings I'll help you but I won't give up on you. The past grudges won't stand in the way of our love because you simply mean the world to me. '' I either see you or die. And since I can't die I'll just see you.'' No shame or pretense when it comes to physical love. I want you, I express it. '' Love for me is touching''. Honest and realistic but so moving. Memorable in every aspect!
Though at the beginning I was worried about the second female lead but she thankfully found the right track. Every character has its own tale and every one can relate to each tale.
The OSTs and the music are so distinctive and soooooooooo suitable.
I will definitely re-watch it if ever have the time.
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One unique Thai drama! + THE BEST CHEMISTRY EVER!❤️❤️
I've been watching American and asian dramas for the past twelve years, I can assure you, its something I've never seen in my life before! STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!It is so amazing that it gives you a total roller coaster ride - especially in the last few episodes. Make sure to watch it with subtitles!
The story is a big plus for the drama, and the main leads - Mark and Mew did an amazing job. AND THEIR CHEMISTRY IS JUST MIND BLOWING!!! I can't imagine any other actors playing the characters.
You may find the first episode nothing extraordinary, but the last few minutes of ep1 will make you go on with the drama. By episode 6 or 7, you will be hooked on- its totally addictive and when the drama is over be ready to get delusional, watching their off-screen and bts videos in Instagram, trying to slap yourself out of Tian and Muey’s world!
Mark and Mew portrayed the emotions of Thien and Moei perfectly! The male lead is handsome, smart, arrogant and stuck up but cares for the female lead without knowing it himself. And when he realises his love for her, it's just sweet and emotional. The female lead is Not your typical drama character but she's cute, funny, energetic, sassy, smart, bold and really caring and totally lovable. Her selfless care for her loved one is just adorable ❤️.
And I don't have any words to describe the scenes when they confess their love for each other. Mark and Mew's acting is just out of the world!! Believe me, Mark and Mew literally make you laugh when they laugh and you'll cry when they cry.
Also the dialogues of the female lead and the little poem snippets are just sassy and lovable❤️. The scenes shot in Myanmar and Mew in traditional Myanmar dress are just beautiful and worth watching! Plus Mew nittha's bright smile really suits Moei's character!
Not only the main leads, but also the TPC gang, Hammock gang, P'Ri, P'Mon, and Thien's mom, Yada and Co. (also Ohuya dog and Snow cat) did a very good job . You won't find any annoying characters in the drama, and the plot doesn't involve Revenge, kidnap, forced love unlike typical Thai drama (no offense to those who like them though!)
On the whole every character in the drama makes it enjoyable. The cinematography is really good! And the music is also amazing! Loved the Ost by Sin (singular). Also don't miss their promotional interviews and special events, its all over Instagram with subtitles. (People went crazy asking for subs even for promotions !)
The only minus I could point out is the editing in some episodes was a bit sloppy when they tried to add the flash back scenes, but it doesn't affect the story. Also, there's a bit of drama in last couple of episodes, however the director aptly justified it in an interview, quoting
'love doesn't end with the word LOVE,
love doesn't end with loving each other,
but love needs understanding and confidence in each other.'
Overall the drama has humour, romance, hot scenes, but also emotional and very sweet. Don't miss it! This will be that one drama I'll never be able to forget in my life! Hoping to watch another drama by mark and Mew soon. MARK AND MEW HAVE GOT THE BEST CHEMISTRY EVER!! And they'll be my favourite on-screen couple! (I do respect their personal life!)
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Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo Season 2
88 people found this review helpful
For those who’ve said goodbye to Kotoko and Irie several times, we know it doesn’t get easy. Maybe because they truly are the perfect couple. Every flaw Kotoko has is a strength Irie has and every flaw Irie has is a strength Kotoko has, but they graciously accept it and consider each other the half they need to be complete.
Theirs is a relationship of encouragement. The INK story is about never giving up. Never give up on your dreams, whether it be what you want to do, who you want to do it with, or who you want to be. The seemingly impossible is possible. (Sometimes it just takes an earthquake, meteorite, or fire to get fate going.)
I actually think I might’ve liked season two of Mischievous Kiss more than season one. It’s a pleasant mixture of comedy and fluff. From Kotoko’s iconic yells and zone out moments to Irie watching over Kotoko fondly as if she’s the sun itself, what could anyone possible dislike about this show?
Now newly wedded, our favorite couple try their best to finish internships and become legitimate medical professionals. However, being married to the love your life doesn’t mean the rest of your life is magically uncomplicated. There are plenty of insecurities and doubts that sprout up between our leads, but it's not as dramatic as other dramas. If you're looking for realistic but quickly solved troubles this is it. It's interesting enough that it's not boring, but it's light enough that you don't get too stressed.
We see how much better these two are when they have each other. Our Kotoko becomes a (semi-)capable nurse when just a couple years ago she was in the lowest grade class. And our Irie shows emotions never seen before. Who could imagine the practically permanent “stone face” Irie Naoki laughing? You’d have to see it to believe it.
Furukawa Yuki and Miki Honoka play their roles as if they were made for them. Yuki flawlessly transitions between attitudes of indifference, annoyance, and warmth like no other actor I’ve watched and I couldn’t get over how amazing Honoka played Kotoko in this season. She grew a lot as an actress. I’d watch scenes and it’d feel like I was watching an actual anime because she gives so much life to Kotoko that it’s unreal.
The soundtrack is pretty decent. As of now, I still prefer season one's ost but maybe that's because it already makes me a little nostalgic. You can tell care went into the soundtrack unlike some dramas that just throw any instrumental mess into the background and recycle the main themes every ten minutes. INK’s music has always enhanced the characters' actions and the overall moods.
So the million dollar question. Is this show re-watchable? As a certified Itazura Na Kiss stan that's watched almost four of the five show adaptions completely, I'd say yeah. It's kinda totally re-watchable.
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A promise in front of the moon yet beyond the light.
Are you confused because of my title? Let's examine and resonate what, how, why, when, where and find the answers.Note: It's a obvious that ITSAY is way better than IPYTM but will you actually discredit the work? NO, Never do that. Let's talk. If you haven't watched you can skip the 2nd part for now.
1st PART: REVIEW
ITSAY (s1) is indeed a game-changer in the world of Thai BL, being the best ever Thai BL ever produced; it is inclined more towards the LGBT pov of a BL, yeah! But If we are gonna compare it with IPYTM (s2), it's better to realize that we are on the wrong boat. The type of storytelling, as everyone can feel and see, has obviously changed from "an artistic narration of love that complements a soul" to "simple narration of love that doesn't want to be bound within limits" kind of story.
THE TITLE:
So when the title of the 2nd season along with the first poster was released, everyone was so happy but at the same time difference in interpreting the title was seen. Many people perceived it as 'one pledging their lover to do anything for them at any given cost' and others explained it as 'promising something that's difficult to keep or even impossible to achieve'. Despite of all the speculations, each of us wished for a happy ending even though we were in doubts. But as the series is over what we can conclude is, Moon that's full of spots as imperfection, is also a sign of love and perfection; because even the most perfect relationship has some flaws. Notably, the 1st episode started on a full moon and the 5th episode or finale ended on a full moon depicting how our lives are drawn in full circles, making us come back to the same different spot; but it's upon us to find our way out of it to achieve what we wish for. I am amazed the way the writers put symbolic meanings to it along with the use of various props with deep meanings.
PRODUCTION: There are bigger production companies in Thailand but when it comes to quality, Nadao Bangkok is the BEST among all. I have trusted in Nadao and the team it formed since ITSAY and this time even though Nadao changed the team, my trust still remained the same. I am sure they never compromise when it comes to producing. The quality of their work can never ever be discredited. P'Boss who was the director of ITSAY remained in IPYTM as a producer to supervise everything. I was a little disappointed when Goy was removed from the screenwriters' team but she was casted in the show as a character and I believe there was a reason behind it. After everything, I really wanna commend the entire team who has always believed in the immense study on life, critical analysis and putting best of their efforts in writing, managing and directing the series. People who are fool to misinterprete and jumped into conclusion thrashing and bashing you all for the story don't deseve such a precious series at all. Do not listen to them as I trust you guys must have reasons behind all these when you clearly knew that you'll have to face backlash once it goes on air. Thank you for the courage. Also, Bravo, Nadao! As someone who has always complained about the lil production value of Thai BL industry, ITSAY and IPYTM came as a revolution in the Thai BL history writing a chapter that no other can ever claim.
STORY: I am really not sure how to explain but let me tell you, you will never see such realistic approach in any other BL series as they've shown us in both ITSAY and IPYTM. I feel the entire crew that includes the directors, producers and the screenwriters are masters of storytelling on individual level and their combined efforts has been successfully paid through the series. Both ITSAY and IPYTM are more like "feeling-based romance" stories with very heavy plots and despite the obvious changes from one season to another, IPYTM still kept us going for the quality work put by the production and the cast. ITSAY was an awakening and realization of blooming youth whereas IPYTM is a reflection of struggles of adulthood or precisely the process of adulting as an individual and evolving in a relationship. Given both the seasons have 5 episodes each, there was no way to be bored or feel like it's going slow because every episode is filled with a lot of solid contents. I really don't know how to express my feelings for the fact that IPYTM is so very realistic and relatable that threatened the inner-self of lots of people. May be that's the reason a large no of audience are disappointed for they were shown their own reflection through the story, hence making them dislike it. Not just the main leads, rather each and every character we encounter in this series more or less represent us and our life who either run away from reality or chase after it. Both the seasons are coming of age stories set in different premises and involves different stages of life. They in fact have proved that how one's persona can define the other at points where two persons are in a relationship and what are the ways to come out of it. Just like ITSAY, IPTYM has been successful in showing the artistic pov of how the turmoil of conflicted emotions can shake lives which is both tragic and eye-pleasing at the same time and hence making the audience hooked up the complexity of the feelings that the character had to go through. Also, it's not an one year or few months story, rather a relationship of years so they had to go through all these anyways. Us being upset is totally unreasonable because people gotta get out of happy-go-lucly fairytale stories. PLEASE.
DIRECTION:
OOF! How many times I gotta repeat it? P'Meen and P'Boss are brilliant directors and stupendous creators of art and probably the best directors Thailand has ever produced. Given their age and experience, they can turn soil into gold which is reflected through this series, ain't it? If you're set to discredit them, please stop wherever you're because you're absolutely moving towards a wrong direction. The way they've set the entire thing and the kind of screenplay by drawing parallels and portraying contradictions between ITSAY and IPYTM is so very fabulous and worth the appreciation.
UNIQUENESS: One of the many peculiar things about both the seasons is that, the series is different from other BL series in which too many illogical plots are drawn. Plus unlike others, in ITSAY and IPYTM the supporting characters have not been portrayed as the sidekicks of the leads who always tag along with the main characters and keep teasing them. Also, the usual BL-fetish fujoshi/fudnashi stuffs have also been prevented from the series where others keep pestering the lead couple (I am in no way demeaning the BL culture since I too am a part of it, rather saying how it's not necessary to put the same thing in every other series). Even a girl like Khim's character was so mature and enough to move our hearts. Another thing is that unlike ITSAY, IPYTM is a time jump story. In five episodes we saw (i forgot) at least 3 or 4 leaps (?) and that included their entire university time plus the last episode was after the graduation and their professional lives.
ACTING: Do I really need to explain a lot about this? I mean give a huge award to the casting director. Nadao could be a small company with few artists but all of them are skilled and quality actors. BK and PP were so into their characters as Teh nd Oh-aew that it felt very real, it's like they've absorbed the entire persona of someone else and turned into real beings and not just mere characters of a series. There are scenes which could seem usual to you but the way they performed is just way beyond the cringeworthy acting of other actors. I mean the way they felt natural is wow and also their accurate facial expressions for every other emotions; in fact what makes ITSAY and IPYTM standout on the top of the pyramid is the performance. Apart from BKPP the supporting characters are also good as actors. Especially Khim (Goy) and Jai (Oab) are fantastic performers who were able to make a strong impressions upon us and I believe the Nadao directors have a part to play in how they've taught the actors in the workshops.
DIALOGUE WRITING: Well, as I have already told, the writers a set of brilliant storytellers and the part of dialogue writing has been so beautifully done that it compensates for even the tragic moments. Some were so simple yet so deep and meaningful, I must say they must have pull the heartstrings of millions. Teh who has been a emotional fool all along this season had not much to say but look at the lines of Oh-aew, Jai and Khim. I felt triggered at points and those things hit just right at my heart.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ummmmm, master quality skills of cinematography. I heard even the camera person were changed in this season but I still loved because as I have already told, we are not in the same boat as ITSAY this time. The camera angles were so very apt, particularly during the stage performances and the rehearsals that Jai conducted. The aesthetic views during their first meet on the foot bridge, the aquarium, the temple scene, in Oh-aew's condo scene; everything was done very beautifully and left me speechless. The colour coordination work has been amazingly done by the screenplay editors too and it's sometimes that had ITSAY vibes too. So a plus point for the quality editing too.
OSTs: This is something which many are complaining about but why do we need to do everything as we did in ITSAY? Season 1was definitely made to feel us overwhelming and content hence the old-style deep and pleasing lyricism was introduced. But in season 2, as I have already said that the kind of storytelling has changed, they changed the OSTs to simple and relatable lyricism that somehow felt deep and touched hearts too. I am so in love with the OSTs. One thing to note that, in ITSAY BK has more original tracks than PP and PP was made to cover one, whereas in IPYTM PP has more original tracks plus one cover from BK. Only common thing is in both the seasons, BK and PP has a very beautiful duet. Also, like ITSAY, IPYTM too left us awe with the sound effects that even made the subtle scenes beautiful; no unnecessary editing and no use of OSTs multiple times just for promotion sake.
ENDING: Not gonna spoil but if you're wary about it, please don't be because it's worth it. The series that has left us awestrucken all along during the entire thing deserved this ending. All that matters is the growth, development and the evolution in individual level as well as in a relationship that's been immensely picturized in this. Happy or sad ending, what actually matters is the journey that we have been put through. Believe me, we all are blessed to have ITSAY+IPYTM and we should definitely be thankful for it.
Let me tell you that if you're actually moved by the script, as in cried with Oh-awe, crused your heart out for Teh and hated Jai to your core, congratulations because that's what the team wanted. They've succeeded in their job when you are left with demeaning thoughts towards the entire thing. As already mentioned, ITSAY and IPYTM are nothing but revolutionary examples in the Thai BL industry that deserves much mote attention, recognition and attention. This too deserves a 9.5 if not 10/10.
In my 7 years of watching Kdramas and BLs this is the first time I paid to watch something with the anticipation to have all kinda nostalgia and art like ITSAY. Although it didn't have the same thing as the prequel rather I was hit really hard with reality, it is worth the money I have spent and worth best of the best appreciations.
2nd PART: ANALYSIS
(SKIP FROM HERE UNTIL YOU WATCH. If you want to read my analysis, you can come back after finishing)
Let's analyse!
Cheating is when you do things deliberately, with your full consciousness, without caring about your conscience. So from this, whatever Teh did, can't be considered entirely as cheating, because if being swayed from/getting confused about your feelings is considered as cheating, then more than half of the relationships of the world will fall apart right away as you read my review. Let's understand Teh's situation.
1) Firstly, in the Ep2 he saw his most dear person, Oh-aew growing away from him. It's not like Oh-aew's love for him was becoming lesser but just like many people Teh, who always finds deeper meaning to whatever happens with/around him, felt like with Oh-aew changing his major things between them might change too. He was insecure and afraid to lose Oh-aew whom he loves so much. But he was wrong when he mocked Oh during the dinner with his seniors, because it's okay if you're flustered but he should have taken his time to understand Oh-aew's situation for changing himself.
2) Secondly, after Goy and Top passed out of the Acting School, Teh was left with Jai Only. Because of the club, he never made friends from his dept nor did he hung out with anyone except these 3 people. Morever Jai was someone who was like-minded with Teh. Their field of study, their interest, their choice of career and their way of seeking meaning in lil stuffs; everything matched as if they were meant to be. We as human beings usually tend to get attracted towards someone with similar interest and thought process, isn't it? Many of us end up falling for someone with whom we spend almost all the time of our day, it's psychology. So Teh falling for Jai isn't something very big of a matter though he should has have control on himself as he's already in a relationship with someone else. He should have hold himself back even if he was intimidated by Jai's behaviour. Jai somehow was kind of a jerk even though Teh is to be blamed more for whatever happened.
3) Thirdly, the kissing scene. Yeah, Teh was at fault too but whatever happened was just a spark of the moment. Basically it was a rehearsal plus the scene's purpose was to depict intimacy. So while practising Teh, who was already swayed, ended up doing a mistake without consciousness and he was clearly out of his mind. He definitely did wrong but that can't be counted as cheating, again because that was so sudden during the rehersal and Jai had a part to play in the matter. Oh-aew as expected had to be upset and flustered seeing this and I totally cried all night, not because Teh kissed a 3rd person, rather Oh witnessing it was so tragic. I felt so poor for him.
4) Fourthly, the 4th episode that was an absolute tragedy. Teh who was caught off guard even though he did wrong over intimidation, he should have come to sense when confronted by Oh-aew. He should have understood that being seen kissing with another person by your boyfriend is not a small matter. He should have tried even harder to resist his emotions but that emotional fool! Everything went okay till the final play and was going smooth during the after party but that fool had to go out after Jai and confront him about whatever happened between them even when Oh-aew was present there, why!? He was given a very fair chance by Oh who himself was hurt to the core but Teh just couldn't draw a line and realize that everything should have a certain limit and committed a grave mistake. But still, would you call that cheating? NO! It still isn't because it's not like he did it deliberately behind Oh-aew's back. Oh himself was there and whatever Teh did was without his consciousness and everyone could clearly see that he was totally intimidated. So even if he had acquired some feelings for Jai, it can't be interpreted as cheating.
5) Teh never stopped loving Oh, even when he was swayed by Jai. He obviously was afraid of the fading relationship but he tried well to understand the situation and cope with it plus to make things better in their relationship. He was a fool to be intimidated but at the same time he never wanted to let go of Oh-aew.
6) Ep1 to Ep4 are the story's side from Oh-aew's pov whereas Ep5 and particularly Teh's thesis play which lasted for a short while is from his pov. Please try to understand that too.
On my last note, I wanna remind y'all about the conversation that Oh-aew had with his school friend,Boss. If you were carefully listening them and tried to understand what exactly it meant, then I am sure all my analysis and explanation wouldn't be necessary to prove anything. Also, Teh and Oh-aew's last conversation on the beach made sense to a great deal, if you didn't understand it, I am sorry you didn't deserve it. Life, love and relationships are always unpredictable. So accept it as it comes to you and embrace all the hurdles with grace, and of course, together.
Finally I just want to say that, when it comes to love stories, we only have very few options or let's say 2 options: "moving on" and "reunion". What matters is how that's represented and whether it's reasonable or not. I am truly happy that Nadao didn't let us down. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
I really hope my analysis, examination and interpretation would help you in better understanding the things and what the directors plus the entire team have tried to convey. If you still don't agree, I welcome any argument in the comment section. Thank you for bearing with this long review, I wish it helps.
Lastly, I TOLD SUNSET ABOUT YOU and I PROMISED YOU THE MOON will forever be in my heart as THE BEST THAI BL SERIES EVER PRODUCED. I am so happy, so content and so grateful I can't even express them through words. Can't really bring myself to say goodbye to TEH and OH-AEW as well the entire thing of 2 years but I will remember everything till the moment I die, I PROMISE.
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The Daesang for the 57th Baeksang goes to…
Shin Ha Kyun, of course! I can’t think of any other more worthy recipient of this prestigious accolade. He truly is the driving force behind Beyond Evil because without him, this drama would have ended up being Not Quite Evil. In fact this drama isn’t as much about evil as it is about filial piety (or lack thereof) and shady business ethics, with a dose of mental health issues included. In any case, I hope he gets a nomination at the very least because he is definitely deserving of the recognition for all the good work he has done here, and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself watching his performance in this extremely well made production.This drama is set in the small town of Manyang, which has a sinister history of mysterious killings and gruesome mutilation of young women that remain unsolved until the present day. Part of this local community is a close-knit group of childhood friends, most of whom grew up to become members of the police force, while the others comprise the local butcher and convenience store operator, respectively. One day, a young hotshot police detective gets transferred to the Manyang police substation and all hell breaks loose in this sleepy town.
The plot is exquisitely written, despite not being groundbreaking, and we’ve seen this premise in many psychological crime thrillers. A small town with a hideous past and its suspicious inhabitants harbouring many unknown secrets, the perfect recipe for a can of worms that would’ve been better off left unopened. Except, in this case, it gets much more convoluted than that - a decades’ long conspiracy that culminates in a scandal of the highest order. This is very much a character driven drama and represents an in-depth case study of the complicated dynamics among the central characters. This is a complex and slowburn psychological whodunnit with dark humour and suspense along with themes of friendship, familial bond, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption.
Helmed by the young director Shim Na Yeon, a relative newcomer to the industry whose recent works cover mostly youth-themed melodramas and romance, and written by the experienced Kim Soo Jin whose previous crime dramas include Mad Dog and Life Special Investigation Team. Being part of the spring drama lineup of JTBC Studios, this drama features commendable production values. The cinematography showcases excellent shots of the Manyang town landscape, including the beautifully tall grass fields where multiple crime scenes have purportedly occurred, and the scenic port city of Busan for a story arc that lasts a couple of episodes. Other than that, the majority of the drama is set in the bright interrogation rooms and gloomy holding cells of the Manyang police substation, Munju police station and the Seoul police HQ. There are countless scenes of barbequing meat and drinking at the Manyang diner-cum-butcher shop as well.
The drama’s true strength lies in its cast and their superb acting, as well as the overall quality of the dialogue. Ever the consummate pro, Shin Ha Kyun does what Shin Ha Kyun does best. For the uninitiated (and for the purpose of managing excessive shock or awe), expect visceral intensity and raw emotions conveyed via truly immersive wholehearted portrayals. For regular viewers and admirers, his execution here is even more elevated from his usual performances in Less Than Evil and Pied Piper. His characterization of Lee Dong Shik is a delicate balancing act between nuanced and downright insane, and will probably represent the standard of acting for this genre in years to come (a close comparison would be Lee Hee Joon’s characterization in Mouse, so there’s potential in this area). Depicting a flawed anti-hero complex and emotionally traumatized character shouldering the burden of a profoundly tragic past is certainly no mean feat and Shin Ha Kyun does it magnificently indeed.
Of the 2 MLs featured in this drama, the other lead is the character of Han Joo Won who is decently portrayed by Yeo Jin Goo. Those familiar with his works would no doubt witness the same signature aspects of his acting. Since Hotel Del Luna (and even earlier, The Royal Gambler) he has perfected the art of the “intense gaze”. Not many actors can pull off this trademark look. An added bonus in this show, he does a near-complete character change that lasts a few episodes at the midway point. Despite not being a fan of the character - he comes across as aloof, sanctimonious, petulant, selfish and entitled, who possesses an unhealthy and somewhat irrational obsession for solving crimes while incessantly defying his own father at every turn - I do appreciate the characterization. The chemistry between the two men, Lee Dong Shik and Han Joo Won, is on point and works very well.
They are ably supported by the rest of the cast comprising the experienced veterans Chun Ho Jin, Choi Jin Ho, Kil Hae Yeon, Heo Sung Tae, Kim Shin Rok and Lee Kyu Hoe. Their versatility truly shows in playing a mix of understated, layered, OTT and mentally unstable characters. I’m also quite impressed with Choi Sung Eun in particular, whose portrayal of Yoo Jae Yi is very powerful and convincing and she stands out as the strongest female character in the show.
Aside from the acting, one aspect that probably doesn't get enough appreciation and recognition is the music for the drama. Kudos to the music director, the hugely experienced and prolific Ha Geun Young, who has done a fantastic job of arranging the original score with an infusion of contemplative jazz performed by a big band ensemble. There's more than a hint of cabaret and the vibe of classic film noir that somehow perfectly captures the essence of the drama. In addition to the music score, the accompanying original songs are terrific as well:
1. Choi Baek Ho - The Night
2. BIBI - Timeless
3. Car The Garden - Empty
4. SunWoo JungA - The Road
All things considered, Beyond Evil has been a hugely satisfying watch and certainly went beyond my initial expectations. I sincerely hope this drama and Shin Ha Kyun will be part of the nominations to be announced next week for the 57th Baeksang Awards this year. They absolutely deserve it!
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